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That's a bit of a puzzle. If the answer were well known, your doctor would tell you to do it. And it pretty clearly would depend on your specific meds and your genetics, and dietary and other habits.

Much of what you will read and hear about long term effects is about the effects of long term untreated HIV infection. For instance, premature aging has been linked to inflammation, which is caused by your body trying to battle HIV on its own. Getting to an undetectable viral load by taking your drugs consistently is probably the best step you can take to battle that. Other long term effects are due to drugs that were withdrawn from the market because of their bad long term effect (such as Zerit). You don't face those long term effects, because those drugs aren't used for you.

Other than that, for the drugs you are on, getting a good healthy diet and plenty of exercise is helpful. You should get both aerobic exercise (to help with any tendency for increased cholesterol due to the drugs) and weight-bearing exercise (to help offset any potential for weaker bones due to starting the drugs).

About bone health, in particular, this is something you should monitor right now -- some studies have shown that shortly after you start HIV drugs and start to get healthy again your body draws on its resources differently in ways that can cause a decrease in bone density. There is no definitive guidance yet, but you might want to be sure you get enough vitamin D, particularly during the first few months.

Most of these things are pretty sensible, even if they aren't exactly easy. Stay on your drugs, eat right, get plenty of vitamin D and exercise.

"...health will finally be seen not as a blessing to be wished for, but as a human right to be fought for." Kofi Annan

Nymphomaniac: a woman as obsessed with sex as an average man. Mignon McLaughlin

HIV is certainly character-building. It's made me see all of the shallow things we cling to, like ego and vanity. Of course, I'd rather have a few more T-cells and a little less character. Randy Shilts

Ah! this is a good and subtle question, but do contrast and compare the side effects of meds vs untreated HIV (ie serious illness and death). The meds ain't perfect but they are damn good. Are there particular body systems/organs you are concerned about? Some combos are better than others long-term side effects wise.

Ah! this is a good and subtle question, but do contrast and compare the side effects of meds vs untreated HIV (ie serious illness and death). The meds ain't perfect but they are damn good. Are there particular body systems/organs you are concerned about? Some combos are better than others long-term side effects wise.

- matt

Excellent point, it amazes me how people are so concerned about possible or potential side effects that they are willing to delay treatment or start an "unconventional" adherence strategy.

If you are taking medication that is metabolized in the liver, is there anything you can do in your every day life that would mitigate the strain on your liver or help make it stronger for long term?

You can make sure you are vaccinated against hepa/b and dont get hep c. Limit or cut out your alcohol intake. Other than that I have not heard of anyfhing substantial that reduces liver toxicity. Some people take Milk Thistle but I dont think its ever been proven to help and most doctors it seems poo poo the idea of taking it.

Maybe I jumped the gun. But after awhile you begin to see people getting so scared of side effects that they delay or adjust their treatment. Often times before they even encounter any side effects. I just dont get it.

Much of what you will read and hear about long term effects is about the effects of long term untreated HIV infection. Best wishesA

Hey Bad,

Your going to get different responses to that question...

From my experiences, I agree with Assurb. I went 18 years before starting on medication, and I believe that most of the side effects/ long term effects, that I am dealing with now, are more a result from long term HIV infection, than HAART. For all purposes, I've been able to tolerate my medication very well, and it brought me back from the brink 8 years ago.

If I had started on medication sooner, than wait until my immune system was practically destroyed, I may be be in a better place then where I am at now.

But, I've been on meds for close to 8 years. And 5 of those 8 years were a 4 drug regimen.

The main things I am dealing with now I believe are related to aging and HIV. I am 59 years old, and HIV positive going on 26 years .

I've had trouble through, these past 8 years on meds controlling Cholesterol, so far, that seems to be in control. Also, blood pressure was borderline high, but is also under control through BP medication.

All ,my blood test,k liver kidney etc, have all come out within the range, of where there supposed to be. Every once in a while a result may be on the high side, and a little out of range.

Overall for me, things are going ok. there are a few rough days, once in a while, but you push forward.

As far as preventing things, be open and honest with your doctor is my advice. Tell him everything you need to tell him. Get a good relationship formed with your doctor, and you'll be in good hands.

By the way, if you look under treatment and check out each individual drug, you will find the possible side effects: